Bangladesh is protesting a boy’s death after a video of his brutal lynching went viral on social media this week.
The 28 minutes of footage showing Samiul Alam Rajon’s death was captured on July 8 and published on Facebook by one of his
suspected assailants, according to BDNews24.com.
Police have filed a case against four individuals over the murder. Muhith Alam, 22, was caught by locals while trying to dump Rajon’s body while three others fled. Alam’s brother Kamrul Islam, 24; Ali Haider, 34; and Moyna Mia, 45, have also all been accused.
“It seems that the four named in the case are all involved in the killing,” Jalalabad police station officer-in-charge Akter Hossain said, according to BDNews24. “We have sought to remand Muhith for seven days to question him about the entire incident.”
The Daily Star reported that 30-year-old Ismail Hossain was arrested Monday in connection to the murder although he is not mentioned in the original case filed.
Bangladesh’s Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told BDNews24 the case was “really unfortunate” and that “none will be spared.”
An autopsy report reveals the boy died due to a brain haemorrahage caused by head injuries, according to The Daily Star. A total of 64 injury marks were found on his body.
The video shows the boy, who was accused of theft, tied to a pole at a Kumargaon bus station shop. Two other people can be seen, and the voices of at least three others are audible.
One visible person asks Rajon for his name, admittance of the theft, and the names of others involved.
Rajon is then beaten with a stick for 16 straight minutes. When he calls for water, the assailants tell him to drink his own sweat. They laugh and jeer as the boy is tortured.
“His bones are apparently intact, beat him more,” one suspect is heard saying, according to BDNews24.
Rajon studied up to fourth grade and was working as a vegetable vendor to help support his family. His father Sheikh Azizur Rahman, who suffers from heart disease, is a driver and
told CNN his son has had difficulties speaking in the past.
“I want justice,” Rhaman said. “[The killers] are powerful but I'm not . . . They can do anything . . . Now I'm scared [for] my life.”
The family heard the news July 8 after going to police when they realized Rajon had gone missing.
“Everyone in this area knows that my son was not a thief. I want justice for him,” his mother said, according to BDNews24.